Richard Linklater’s 2023 film “Hit Man” was a big hit for the Texas filmmaker and helped launch Glen Powell, who co-wrote and produced the film with Linklater, onto the path of Hollywood stardom. That path has proved treacherous recently for Powell, whose ascendance to leading-man status didn’t quite take, but that doesn’t diminish the charm of the movie that made him. And that’s what Netflix wants to tap into in their plans to develop a “Hitman” TV series. The project won’t star Powell, but it’ll be inspired by the movie’s set-up of assumed undercover identities.
Deadline reports that “You’re The Worst” creator Stephen Falk will write the new series, with Powell and Linklater on board as executive producers. Powell’s banner BarnStorm Productions will also produce the show alongside AGC Television. Other executive producers include Falk, Dan Cohen, and AGC’s Stuart Ford, Miguel A. Palos Jr, and Lourdes Diaz, and Stephen Barnett, Alan Powell, Vicky Patel, Shivani Rawat, and Julie Goldstein.
Based on a true story, “Hit Man” follows Powell, an unassuming college professor who moonlights as a police contractor, and ends up using elaborate disguises to go undercover posing as a fake hitman. One such job has him stumble upon Adria Arjona’s damsel in distress, and soon enough, sparks fly. It’s a safe bet that Netflix’s TV show will have a similar set-up, although it’ll be tough to find actors that match the onscreen chemistry of Powell and Arjona.
“Hit Man” had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival to rave reviews, with Netflix acquiring it in a $20 million deal. The film then debuted on the streamer in June 2024, eventually notching Powell a Golden Globe nod and him and Linklater a WGA Award nomination.
TV vet Falk’s credits include Apple TV’s “Hello Tomorrow!,” Netflix’s “Orange Is The New Black,” and Showtime’s “Weeds.” More recently, he’s the creator, showrunner, and executive producer for the FXX series “You’re The Worst.”
So, who will star in the series version of “Hit Man”? It’ll be hard to find an actor whose charisma is more perfectly suited to a role like this than Powell, but maybe there’s an up-and-comer ready to make their mark.
